Acting question about headshots?

-I'm going to send my resume/coverletter/headshots to an agency near my area. though, the economy is not at its best and my parents do not have the money right now and cannot afford any professional pictures for my headshot. people have told me to get a friend to take it, but my friends don't exactly have photography skills. is it a stupid idea to just try and use my digital camera and edit it and hope that it seems professional? i know its mostly about lighting/contrast/background and all that, but will the agency do you think immediately throw out a non-perfect headshot?? isn't the whole point of a headshot just to see what you look like, not how much money you have to take a picture??? thanks!





also! is it super unprofessional to say in my cover letter "sorry for the unprofessional headshots, my parents unfortuanately cannot afford a high class photographer" or whatever. is that okay, or would that just be hurting my chances even more? thanks!!It doesn't really matter, they need your picture to remember you and to audition for an agency, if they like you then they'll send you to a professional photographer before you start working fro them. Certain agencies will let you pay them back when you start working, because the headshots can be really pricey. Some agencies won't do that, so just make sure to ask. And you can take the picture by yourself, just make sure your background isn't eye-popping or gorgeous, just that the attention's on you. Just to smile and bring out your personality, not drench yourself in makeup, and that it's 8 by 10.



And don't put "sorry for the unprofessional headshots, my parents unfortuanately cannot afford a high class photographer" they don't need or care for an explanation.



You just need a resume and a headshot that is ALL. good luck!I would use an example you can get off of the Internet as a reference an have your parents or friends take it. Use a room that is well lit, but no where near a window. If you want, use a tripod to steady the camera. The shots will not be blurry or wrongly tilted. Have the person take the picture off the Internet and tell you how to position your head, shoulders, chest, chin and eyes based on the picture.
Submitting unprofessional headshots is a bad idea. Writing a cover letter that calls attention to how unprofessional they are is an even worse idea.